Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances suffered a data breach between July 26, 2023, and July 30, 2023, where unauthorized actors gained access to its IT systems. The incident exposed sensitive personal information of 1,768 individuals, primarily Social Security Numbers (SSNs), heightening the risk of identity theft. In response, the company provided 24 months of identity theft protection services via NortonLifeLock to affected individuals. The breach underscores vulnerabilities in the company’s cybersecurity defenses, particularly in safeguarding high-value personally identifiable information (PII). While the exact method of intrusion remains undisclosed, the compromise of SSNs critical for financial and identity verification poses long-term risks for victims, including fraud, credit damage, and potential misuse in phishing or social engineering attacks. The Maine Office of the Attorney General formally reported the incident, emphasizing regulatory compliance and mitigation efforts.

Source: https://www.maine.gov/agviewer/content/ag/985235c7-cb95-4be2-8792-a1252b4f8318/7bfda260-4d59-4c6f-bf47-c1720e3d5f81.shtml

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/bell-flavors-&-fragrances

"id": "bel248090125",
"linkid": "bell-flavors-&-fragrances",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "7/2023",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"

{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 1768,
                        'industry': 'Food & Beverage (Flavors and Fragrances)',
                        'name': 'Bell Flavors & Fragrances',
                        'type': 'Private Company'}],
 'customer_advisories': ['Identity theft protection services offered for 24 '
                         'months via NortonLifeLock'],
 'data_breach': {'number_of_records_exposed': 1768,
                 'personally_identifiable_information': ['Social Security '
                                                         'Numbers'],
                 'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (includes SSNs)',
                 'type_of_data_compromised': ['Personally Identifiable '
                                              'Information (PII)']},
 'date_detected': '2023-07-30',
 'description': 'The Maine Office of the Attorney General reported that Bell '
                'Flavors & Fragrances experienced a data breach involving '
                'unauthorized access to its IT systems from July 26, 2023, to '
                'July 30, 2023. The breach affected 1,768 individuals, with '
                'compromised information including Social Security Numbers. '
                'Identity theft protection services were offered for 24 months '
                'through NortonLifeLock.',
 'impact': {'data_compromised': ['Social Security Numbers'],
            'identity_theft_risk': 'High (SSNs compromised)'},
 'references': [{'source': 'Maine Office of the Attorney General'}],
 'regulatory_compliance': {'regulatory_notifications': ['Maine Office of the '
                                                        'Attorney General']},
 'response': {'third_party_assistance': ['NortonLifeLock (identity theft '
                                         'protection)']},
 'title': 'Bell Flavors & Fragrances Data Breach (July 2023)',
 'type': 'Data Breach'}